← New search

2001 Acura Mdx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mdx years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Acura Mdx are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

170 reports with mileage · 54 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 131 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

Visibility complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
142,631 miles · Oct 21, 2014
VisibilityInjury

DRIVING SOUTH ON I-5 AT 9:30AM SAT MORNING. LIGHT TRAFFIC. OVERCAST & 58 DEGREES F. TRAVELING IN LANE 3 (FOUR LANES) WITH NO VEHICLES IN LANE 4 NEXT TO ME OR AHEAD OF ME. NO VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME IN MY LANE EITHER. WE HAD JUST REACHED THE APEX OF THE SEATTLE SHIP CANAL BRIDGE. ONE ADULT GUEST RIDING IN FRONT . A SUDDEN LOUD CRUNC…

Read full complaint

DRIVING SOUTH ON I-5 AT 9:30AM SAT MORNING. LIGHT TRAFFIC. OVERCAST & 58 DEGREES F. TRAVELING IN LANE 3 (FOUR LANES) WITH NO VEHICLES IN LANE 4 NEXT TO ME OR AHEAD OF ME. NO VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME IN MY LANE EITHER. WE HAD JUST REACHED THE APEX OF THE SEATTLE SHIP CANAL BRIDGE. ONE ADULT GUEST RIDING IN FRONT . A SUDDEN LOUD CRUNCHING/SHATTERING SOUND & MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW COMPLETELY SHATTERED TO A TRANSLUCENT BUT NON-TRANSPARENT GREEN COLOR & WITHIN TWO SECONDS THE HEAVY GLASS CHUNKS BEGAN FALLING INWARD ONTO MY BODY & SOME INTO BACK AREA. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN SHOT & DIDN'T FEEL THE PAIN YET, MY HEART RACED, MY GUEST EXCLAIMED "MY GOD WHAT JUST HAPPENED?" & THEN SHE TURNED TO CHECK FOR TRAFFIC ON RIGHT SIDE TO ASSIST ME IN PULLING OVER. DUE TO THE LIGHT TRAFFIC I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY CROSS THE OTHER 2 LANES & EXIT ON THE ROANOKE EXIT TO STOP. MY GUEST WENT AROUND TO THE OUTSIDE DRIVERS SIDE & SAID SHE COULD SEE NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING AMISS OTHER THAN THE SHATTERED WINDOW. I WAS CONTINUING TO EXPERIENCE GLASS FALL SO I TRIED TO PICK & DIRECT FALLING PIECES TO FLOORBOARD. THEN I GOT ALL THE VISIBLE PIECES OUT OF THE FRAME & ONTO MY FLOORBOARD. THE CAR WAS DRIVE-ABLE & I DID NOT CAUSE A PROBLEM ON THE FREEWAY SO I BEGAN DRIVING BACK TOWARD MY HOME ON SIDE STREETS. AS I DROVE MY FRIEND CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO CALLED ACURA OF LYNNWOOD & TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. HE ORDERED A NEW WINDOW FOR WHICH THEY CHARGED HIM $300.63 TO ORDER A NEW GLASS WINDOW (NOTE: THE SERVICE GUY SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING). TODAY, THEY PUT THE NEW WINDOW & I PAID $208.36 FOR LABOR. SO TOTAL WAS $508.99 WHICH IS RIGHT AT OUR INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE SO IT BECOMES OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR US. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL & ONLY OWNERS OF THIS WELL CARED FOR & GARAGED ACURA MDX THEREFORE I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS FAILURE WASN'T JUST TAKEN CARE OF BY THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649080

118,000 miles · Aug 17, 2012
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS BUBBLING ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. HE LATER NOTICED AN ABNORMAL LIQUID COMING ROM THE MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, PROVIDING NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MIL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS BUBBLING ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. HE LATER NOTICED AN ABNORMAL LIQUID COMING ROM THE MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, PROVIDING NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #10471271

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2010
Visibility

REAR VIEW MIRROR LEAKING FLUID AND OBSTRUCTING VIEW. THE LEAKING FLUID HAD A STRONG ODOR AND HAD BEEN REPORTED TO CAUSE SORE THROAT AND WATERY EYES IN SOME CASES. WE WENT TO THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE MIRROR AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT $157.00. WE ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE MIRROR AND THEY DID NOT W…

Read full complaint

REAR VIEW MIRROR LEAKING FLUID AND OBSTRUCTING VIEW. THE LEAKING FLUID HAD A STRONG ODOR AND HAD BEEN REPORTED TO CAUSE SORE THROAT AND WATERY EYES IN SOME CASES. WE WENT TO THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE MIRROR AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT $157.00. WE ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE MIRROR AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT TO CAUSE THAT KIND OF DEFECT. THE MIRROR WAS INTACT WITHOUT ANY CRACKS OR DENTS WHEN IT STARTED LEAKING THIS FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345053

120,000 miles · Oct 2, 2009
Visibility

THE AUTO DIM FEATURE THE REARVIEW MIRROR ON MY 2001 ACURA MDX NO LONGER WORKS. THERE IS A LIQUID LOOKING STAIN IN THE CENTER OF THE MIRROR THAT IS VERY DISTRACTING DURING THE DAY AND EVEN MORE SO AT NIGHT. AFTER MORE RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. NEW MIRROR WILL BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286147

Official recalls

4

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

20V027000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

05V385000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Sep 1, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION, AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE AND A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238.

04V176000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Apr 15, 2004

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE05040 · Front Coil Spring Breakage

Opened Jul 14, 2005 · Closed Sep 14, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs; Tires

IN AN AUGUST 29, 2005 LETTER, HONDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 AND EARLY-2002 ACURA MDX SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO HONDA, SOME FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION AND, IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE USED, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.RUBBER SLEEVES APPLIED NEAR THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SOME SPRINGS TO ELIMINATE NOISE CAN TRAP SALT WATER, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION.OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE.IN SOME CASES, A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.EVIDENCE OF TIRE DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED IN AT LEAST 4 (29%) OF THE SPRING FRACTURE REPORTS AND 13 (21%) OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS.ONE REPORT ALSO INDICATED THAT A FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, HONDA IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 22,861 MDX VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED (HONDA RECALL P92, NHTSA RECALL 05V-385).THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS OR WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVING VEHICLES FROM OUTSIDE THE RECALL REGION.DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

IN AN AUGUST 29, 2005 LETTER, HONDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 AND EARLY-2002 ACURA MDX SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO HONDA, SOME FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION AND, IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE USED, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.RUBBER SLEEVES APPLIED NEAR THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SOME SPRINGS TO ELIMINATE NOISE CAN TRAP SALT WATER, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION.OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE.IN SOME CASES, A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.EVIDENCE OF TIRE DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED IN AT LEAST 4 (29%) OF THE SPRING FRACTURE REPORTS AND 13 (21%) OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS.ONE REPORT ALSO INDICATED THAT A FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, HONDA IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 22,861 MDX VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED (HONDA RECALL P92, NHTSA RECALL 05V-385).THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS OR WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVING VEHICLES FROM OUTSIDE THE RECALL REGION.DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS.

Tires

IN AN AUGUST 29, 2005 LETTER, HONDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001 AND EARLY-2002 ACURA MDX SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO HONDA, SOME FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION AND, IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE USED, MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.RUBBER SLEEVES APPLIED NEAR THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF SOME SPRINGS TO ELIMINATE NOISE CAN TRAP SALT WATER, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCESSIVE CORROSION.OVER TIME, EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAN CAUSE SPRING FAILURE.IN SOME CASES, A BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE A FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.EVIDENCE OF TIRE DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED IN AT LEAST 4 (29%) OF THE SPRING FRACTURE REPORTS AND 13 (21%) OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS.ONE REPORT ALSO INDICATED THAT A FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, HONDA IS RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 22,861 MDX VEHICLES SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED (HONDA RECALL P92, NHTSA RECALL 05V-385).THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS OR WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVING VEHICLES FROM OUTSIDE THE RECALL REGION.DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS.